Once allergy skin testing has revealed the exact nature and severity of a patient’s allergy, a physician will devise a treatment plan. In cases of very mild allergies, the patient may be urged to make certain lifestyle modifications that may be effective in preventing symptoms on a day-to-day basis. For instance, people with pollen allergies may be advised to avoid outdoor activities when pollen counts are high.

Over-the-counter antihistamines or decongestants also might be suggested as a means of treating minor flare-ups. Those with moderate to severe allergies may be given prescription antihistamines, decongestants, steroid nasal sprays and leukotriene modifiers.  

Finally, if all other methods fail to adequately treat the problem, allergy shots (immunotherapy) may be recommended. In this treatment, a small dose of the offending allergen is injected under a patient’s skin on a periodic basis.  In many cases, the patient’s tolerance level to these allergens rises dramatically, causing a significant reduction in symptoms.